By: Richard L. Smith
A New Jersey man has been indicted on federal charges alleging he illegally obtained U.S. citizenship and a passport, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Federal prosecutors announced that a grand jury returned a two-count indictment on April 20, 2026, charging Miguel Dario Bautista Jimenez, 41, with unlawful procurement of naturalization and passport fraud. U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer made the announcement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Bautista, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was previously removed from the United States around 2013 following a conviction in New York for criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree.
Authorities allege that after his removal, Bautista re-entered the United States using a false identity and had partially mutilated his fingerprints to avoid detection.
He is accused of then using that identity to fraudulently obtain U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process, as well as securing a U.S. passport.
The indictment charges Bautista with violations of federal law, including unlawful procurement of naturalization and passport fraud. 
Each count carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the financial gain or loss associated with the offenses.